17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 corinthians 5:17
We continue with series started a couple of weeks ago, titled “Learning to live the victorious Christian life.” Last week, we looked at how we should walk in faith & obedience as we go through the process of sanctification. This week, I want to talk to you about “REGRET.” I believe this is something all Christians ( no matter how long you been following) struggle with. Our past mistakes always come back to haunt us and create a doubt in our minds regarding our walk with Christ. Have you ever tried to run or walk in a straight line looking back? It is almost impossible to do so. You certainly will drift, and you will slow down. Those who run track are taught to run looking straight ahead because as soon as they look back during a race, it disrupts the flow, it breaks down the concentration, and it slows you down.
Our spiritual walk is talked of as race by Paul ( 1 corinthians 9:24). And many of us are hindering our growth by always looking back. We tend to look back at our past failures and mistakes while we were still living in sin. Satan is also ever ready to remind us of our failure and sinful behavior. And, what it does is create doubt in our mind, and you began to wonder about your salvation. If you have accepted Christ and are born again, your past, present, and future sins are forgiven. Not only are you forgiven, but God does not remember them, and there is no judgment for those sins. So why do we keep reliving them and feeling guilty? God doesn’t look back on our sins after He has forgiven them. If HE doesn’t look back, what right do YOU have to look back at past sins? What right do YOU have to feel the guilt of sins already paid for and forgiven? This is not trusting God and His promise. We all want to wipe away those embarrassing moments from past, maybe you were drunk, maybe there was a relationship you are not proud of, maybe you hurt someone deeply, perhaps you can not let go of the guilt of an abortion, all of us have done something in past that we wish we can take back or get a mulligan on but guess what Jesus’s blood takes all of that away. We no longer need to hold on to those things from the past. I do believe, if you can make restoration, you should. If a broken relationship can be restored by an apology, I strongly suggest that you do that, especially if you have a fractured relationship with the immediate family.
The important thing to remember is you are not the same person you were, and now you are walking with Christ, and those past sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus. Don’t let Satan discourage you from those previous defeats. You are not alone in the area of past guilt. Jacob stole his brother’s blessings, Moses killed a man, Samson let his ego blind him, David gave in to temptation which led to murder, Soloman was led astray by his love of worldly things, Peter denied Christ, Paul persecuted Christians. Failure is not final with Jesus. They repented, and Jesus restored them. We serve that same Jesus. In Christ, you are a new man/woman.
One more thing before I close, Please don’t recall the past mistakes of others who are now walking with God either. They might have hurt you and hurt you deeply, but it will do no good to bring up those past mistakes, especially if it is your spouse. So friends, learn to let go of your past. Regret is a monster that eats you alive from inside and is a monster created in your mind. Don’t let the regret of yesterday take away the joy of today and ruin your tomorrow. I urge you today to let go of your “regrets,” If you don’t, it will limit your progress, it will stunt your growth, and Satan will use it to make you depressed. Learn to “LET GO” to live a victorious life. Amen
only savior jesus 